International Observe the Moon Night

October 8, 2011

Saturday, October 8, 2011 marked the second annual International Observe the Moon Night. InOMN is a public outreach event created to increase public interest in and awareness of the Moon; to give them a chance to look through telescopes and learn about the Moon, and see how exciting current lunar research can be. Adrienne Dove organized a CCLDAS event at the Courthouse Lawn on the Pearl Street Mall in downtown Boulder, CO. Many representative for CCLDAS were at the event, including researchers and graduate and undergraduate students. Because of the unfortunately rainy and cold weather, the large telescopes used last year could not be set up, although Doug Duncan was able to set up a small portable telescope for a short time. We were still able to attract some attention to our table of handouts and activities, which included helping kids (of all ages!) build small telescopes that they could take home with them. Although the crowd was small this year, the volunteers and people who did stop by were excited about the event, and are looking forward to clear skies next year!

Addie Dove helps a group of girls assemble their handheld telescopes, which have CCLDAS and InOMN stickers attached to mark the occasion.

InOMN volunteers take advantage of a rare opportunity to glimpse the Moon peaking out from behind the clouds.

September 18, 2010

Saturday, September 18 marked the first annual International Observe the Moon Night. InOMN is a public outreach event created to get the public interested in the Moon, give them a chance to look through telescopes and learn about the Moon, and see how exciting current lunar research can be. CCLDAS hosted an event in downtown Boulder at the Courthouse Lawn on the Pearl Street Mall. We had two homemade reflecting telescopes (with 15 inch and 17 inch primary mirrors) aimed at the Moon and at Jupiter, with the four Galilean moons in full view. At least 200 people oohed and ahhed as they peered through the eyepieces, for many it was their first time looking at the Moon through a telescope! We also had small telescope building for kids, a couple of hands-on activities, and Kim Ennico of NASA Ames presented a short talk on the LCROSS mission. It was a great success, and we look forward to an even grander event next year!